In a grueling NASCAR Cookout Clash delayed three days by a rare central North Carolina blizzard, Ryan Preece claimed a remarkable victory at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 5, 2026. Starting 18th, Preece drove the No. 60 car from deep in the pack to hold off William Byron and Ryan Blaney during an intense, marathon late-stage battle on the quarter-mile track.
This win marked Preece’s first in NASCAR Cup Series competition and was especially poignant given his challenging journey: mortgaging his home to race part-time and working with mid-pack teams before securing a spot with RFK Racing last year. Though an exhibition event without points on the line, Preece’s performance cemented his status as a serious contender.
You can tell how much this means to @RyanPreece_. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/7Br25g97wv
The decisive moment for Preece came with an aggressive pass on leader Shane van Gisbergen on the slick, rain-affected surface. Battling side by side, Preece leaned hard on the No. 97 car, eventually taking command with 44 laps remaining. He skillfully managed his tires and capitalized on opponents’ errors to maintain the lead until the checkered flag.
Congratulations to @RyanPreece_ I have a soft spot for guys that build and work on their own race cars.— Mark Martin (@markmartin)
Preece’s triumph is a testament to his resilience and skill. Last season had signaled his potential for victories, and opening 2026 with such a hard-fought win suggests he could be a regular fixture in victory lane moving forward.
Kyle Larson’s Struggles Highlight Harsh Race Conditions
Although Kyle Larson began the race strongly, securing the pole and dominating early laps, his night unraveled after losing the lead during a restart. Larson fell back into traffic and encountered several setbacks on the slick track including a spin and running out of fuel late in the race. This string of misfortune led to a disappointing finish inside the Top 25, dampening hopes for the defending champion’s title defense.
Larson’s experience underscored how challenging the conditions were, and how quickly fortunes shifted on Bowman Gray’s tight, weather-impacted circuit.
Implications for Championship Contenders and Teams
Although this race offered no championship points and featured a smaller field, teams treated the event as an important testing ground for early-season strategies. Bowman Gray’s short, flat layout provides valuable data relevant to other short-track venues like Martinsville.
The 2026 NASCAR season introduces a new Chase system emphasizing consistency over sheer wins, elevating the importance of finishing strong and accumulating points during the initial 26 races. Starting with this event, teams are locked into a high-stakes battle every time they take the track, making the insights from Bowman Gray crucial despite its exhibition status.
Unheralded Drivers Making Big Gains
Three of the top four finishers began the race well back in the field, showcasing aggressive yet calculated racing on the challenging, rain-slicked quarter-mile oval. Ryan Preece’s ascent from 18th was joined by Ryan Blaney, starting 16th, who finished third, and Daniel Suarez, who moved from 20th to fourth place. Their willingness to push and endure minor contact was key to their progress through the pack.
This dynamic bodes well for the series, as drivers who can fight through adversity and make their own opportunities will be vital under NASCAR’s new points framework, where resilience is rewarded.
A Race Marred by Weather and Lengthy Delays
Mother Nature heavily influenced the event. After starting three days late due to a rare snowstorm, bitter cold settled in for race day, driving many fans to claim refunds. Midway through, a sleet shower forced a 30-minute red flag period, compounding the already lengthy delays.
Including multiple cautions and stoppages, the 50-mile race spanned nearly four hours from the initial broadcast start at 6 p.m. ET to the final victory lane festivities close to 10 p.m. ET, causing frustration among viewers and forcing the broadcast to shift to FS2, FOX’s lowest-tier channel, causing some fans to miss the finish.
This drawn-out pacing raised questions about NASCAR’s decision not to count caution laps during wet conditions. Teams, drivers, and fans felt the event lacked the urgency and flow expected, especially considering tire wear and fuel issues created additional drama in a race that already tested patience and skill.
The wife “o crap do we have FS2?” Me “yes I think so but I will have to look for it!” Sucess!— Doug Rice (@Riceman61)
“Somebody tell these guys it’s too f***ng cold, it’s too f***ing wet and we’re just going to keep f***ing wrecking.”Ryan Preece— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi)
Key Offseason Injuries and Upcoming Challenges
The event also highlighted physical hurdles facing some veterans as 2026 unfolds. Brad Keselowski remains sidelined recovering from a broken femur suffered during a skiing accident in the offseason. Corey LaJoie subbed for Keselowski in the No. 6 car at Bowman Gray, as Keselowski has yet to complete all NASCAR licensing tests necessary to race at Daytona.
Short answer- NOLong answer- I don’t currently have a valid NASCAR driver’s license. Scheduled to take the different tests end of the week. Must pass to drive the car at DAYTONA or anywhere else. Big week ahead— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski)
Denny Hamlin, meanwhile, is coping with a re-injured shoulder that was surgically repaired in 2023. He has chosen to race through the pain rather than seek further surgery, with questions remaining about his sustained performance level during the season.
Denny Hamlin suffered a shoulder injury during the offseason but doesn’t plan to miss time this season.— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch)
These physical challenges add another layer to the season’s competitiveness, as drivers work to regain peak form early on amid a demanding schedule.
Anticipating the Daytona 500 Field and Competition
Attention now quickly moves toward the Daytona 500, where the 2026 field will expand to 41 cars. The likely entry list includes 45 contenders, creating a tense battle with four drivers failing to qualify. Notably, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson secured a special exemption provisional, exempting him from earning points or prize money but guaranteeing a spot in the race.
Several part-time teams are expected to challenge for openings, including Front Row Motorsports’ Chandler Smith, JR Motorsports with Justin Allgaier, NY Racing likely fielding JJ Yeley, Beard Motorsports’ Anthony Alfredo, MBM Motorsports’ Casey Mears, a fourth 23XI Racing car driven by Craftsman Truck Series champion Corey Heim, Live Fast Motorsports with BJ McLeod, and RFK Racing’s fourth entry with Corey LaJoie.
While many of these drivers will not compete for points in the opener, their intense qualifying efforts highlight the prestige and challenge of competing at the Daytona 500, promising fierce competition during the upcoming qualifying races.
Race Dynamics and the Performance Package’s Potential
Despite setbacks, the race contained several positive elements worthy of note. Drivers displayed genuine short-track racing with aggressive passing under green conditions. When the wet tires came into play, the race turned into classic short-track combat, with cars rubbing and daring maneuvers emerging from the field’s bravest.
The newly introduced high-horsepower package showed promise in generating on-track excitement. While aerodynamic advantages for leaders remain, the racing was competitive and close. How this package will translate to larger tracks and points-paying events remains an open question heading into the season.
Ultimately, the extended caution time marred the overall experience, overshadowing the quality racing moments. The postponement and interruptions caused some fans to overlook what worked well and led to many viewing the Daytona Clash through an overly favorable lens. The race was better than its reputation suggests.
Ryan Preece’s win, secured through skillful passing and tire conservation after his memorable move on van Gisbergen, stands out as a highlight. His performance underscored his status as an outstanding driver and the event’s best story.
https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/2019242440822272218
Congratulations to @RyanPreece_ I have a soft spot for guys that build and work on their own race cars.
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) February 5, 2026
The wife “o crap do we have FS2?” Me “yes I think so but I will have to look for it!” Sucess!
— Doug Rice (@Riceman61) February 5, 2026
"Somebody tell these guys it's too f***ng cold, it's too f***ing wet and we're just going to keep f***ing wrecking."
Ryan Preece
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) February 5, 2026
Short answer- NO
Long answer- I don’t currently have a valid NASCAR driver’s license. Scheduled to take the different tests end of the week. Must pass to drive the car at DAYTONA or anywhere else.
Big week ahead https://t.co/T4Us4hVjV7
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) February 2, 2026
Denny Hamlin suffered a shoulder injury during the offseason but doesn't plan to miss time this season.https://t.co/FP9yvuFTCC
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) February 4, 2026
